Bindweed cutter



March 14, 1939. r

' A. J. wARTA 2,150,304

BINDWEED CUTTER Filed July 17, 193'? 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Mar. 14, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to agricultural implements and more particularly to a bindweed cutter.

An object of the present invention is to pro- Mvide a cutter of this character that is adaptable to all conditions of weather, soil and topography and will be efficient for cutting the bindweeds at the roots thereof.

A further object of the invention is to pro- .vide an economical and time saving device of this character.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will bebest understood from a study of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the cutter.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary detail perspective view illustrating certain features hereinafter more fully referred to.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that in the preferred embodiment thereof the bindweed cutter comprises an elongated frame 5 formed of angle iron or other suitable material and having the ends thereof connected by-longitudinal bar 6 disposed rearwardly of the longitudinal median of the frame.

7 Frame 5 is supported by tread wheels I mounted on the ends of an axle 8 journaled in suitable bearings 9 provided therefor at opposite ends of the frame 5.

A draft tongue (not shown) or other suitable draft device may be connected with the forward side of the frame 5 whereby the weed cutter may be attached to a tractor, draft animal or the like.

In the present instance I have illustrated the bindweed cutter as being equipped with two outter blades l although it will be understood that any desired number of blades l0 arranged in longitudinal alignment one with the other may be employed and dependent upon the width of the frame 5.

Each blade [0 has extending upwardly therefrom a plurality, in the present instance, three laterally spaced posts or standards H and pivoted to the upper end of each post H as at I2 is one end of a beam l3.

Each beam [3 is provided with an integral fork M the legs of which are apertured to accommodate a fixed pivot rod l extending between and supported by the side members 5a of frame 5.

For raising and lowering the blade l0 and for securing the blade at the desired elevation there is mounted on the forward side 5b of frame 5 a rack segment l4 provided on a suitable bracket [5. Pivoted to the bracket I5 is a hand lever l6 provided with a dog l1 cooperable with the rack 5 segment [4 for holding the lever I6 at the desired position of adjustment. For the dog l5 there is pivoted on the handle I6 the release handle is connected with the dog i5 through the medium of a wire rod [9.

A substantially U-shaped crank member I8 has one leg thereof suitably fixed to the pivot 2| provided for the hand lever l5 and at an angle to the hand lever l6 as shown in Fig. 2. The other leg of the U-shaped crank is pivoted II to a bracket 22 on the forward frame member 5?) as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

Extending through the leg of the U-shaped crank member 20 is a rod 23 which is operatively connected to the beams l3 through the medium 30 of links 24 and a rod 25 that extends through apertures provided in the ends of the beams l3 pivoted to the posts I l of blade ID as will be clear from a study of Figs. 1 and 2.

It will thus be seen that by raising and lower- 25 ing handle l6 beams l3 will be caused to swing about the pivot I5 as an axis to elevate or lower the blade In to control the digging depth of the blade.

For varying the angle of inclination of the blade l0 and for securing the blade I0 at the desired angle of inclination there is provided a yoke member 26 that straddles the fork of the intermediate beam l3 and the legs of the yoke member 26 as the free ends of said legs are apertured to receive the pivot rod l6.

Extending through the bight or closed in the yoke 26 is a screw 21 on which is threaded the closed end of a smaller yoke 28.

Pivoted between the legs of the smaller yoke 28 through the medium of a pivot pin 29 are one end of rods 30, 3| and 32. Rods 30, 3| and 32 are pivoted to the posts ll intermediate the ends of the' post as at 33. Thus by adjusting the yoke 28 through the medium of the screw 21 relative to the yoke 26 posts II are swung through a vertical are swinging about their pivot l2 to position the blade ill at the desired angle to the perpendicular.

Thus it will be seen that in accordance with the present invention provision is made not only for adjusting the blade l0 to control the digging depth thereof, but provision is also made for adjusting the angular position of the blade in 55 whereby the blade will enter the ground at any desired angle.

In actual practice it will be apparent that when the device, hitched behind a tractor or other draft vehicle or animal is drawn over the ground blade I!) will enter the ground to cut the bindweeds at the roots of the latter.

It will also be found in actual practice that blade I!) will remain sharp over an extended period of time.

Further pin 29 may be and preferably is made of wood so that in the event the blade 10 strikes a large rock or other hard and immovable object pin 29 will shear thus freeing the blade ill to swing vertically upwardly and to clear or ride over such objects without material damage, being done to the blade.

It is thought that a clear understanding of the construction and utility and advantages of an invention of this character will be had without a more detailed description.

What is claimed. is:

1. In an agricultural implement of the character described, a wheel supported, frame, a fixed pivot rod mounted on aid frame, a blade carrying beam having one end pivotally engaged with said rod, a blade pivotally connected to the free end of said beam, a yoke member pivotally en.- gaged with said pivot rod, av second yoke member, an adjusting screw connecting. said yoke members together whereby the second yoke may be adjusted to the first yoke, and a bar pivotally connecting the second yoke with. said; blade whereby the angle of the blade to the perpendicular may be adjusted by an adjustment of the second yoke relative to the first mentioned yoke, and means connected with said blade for moving the blade toward and away from the ground and for securing the blade at the desired position of adjustment for controlling the digging depth thereof.

2. In a bindweed cutter of the character described, a wheel supported frame, a rod: mounted on said frame and extending from one side to the other of the same, a plurality of beams pivotally connected at one end with said rod, a blade having standards rising therefrom and pivoted at their upper ends to said beams, a lever pivotally mounted on, said frame, link means connecting said lever with said beams for vertically swinging thebeams incidental to a swinging movement of said. lever, a rack segment mounted on said frame, and said lever being provided with a detent structure cooperahle; with the rack segment for securing said blade at the desired position of elevation, a yoke member pivotally engaged. with said rod, an adjusting screw extendingthrough the closed end of said yoke member, a second yoke member having a closed end threadedly engaged withv said adjusting screw, a plurality of rods pivoted at one end to the blade standards, and a frangible pinpivotally connecting said rods to the second mentioned. yoke member, asand for the purpose specified.

ARTHUR J. WARTA. 

